Los Angeles CA vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 507,478 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.2 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 11.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 26.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $78,779 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $39,586 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 31.5% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 30.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 71.8°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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